Burundi is no longer a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after informing the United Nations a year ago of its decision to leave the court.
The country on October 27, 2016 presented its letter of exit from the ICC to then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Burundi’s withdrawal has now reached the designated one year period hence has become the first country to complete the process of leaving the ICC.
Other African countries including The Gambia and South African also informed the UN of intentions to withdraw from the court but in the case of The Gambia, its current president, Adama Barrow revoked that decision made earlier by exiled leader, Yahya Jammeh.
South Africa which notified the U.N. of its decision on October 19 of 2016 also had that decision flawed by a South African High Court, this year.
The high court ruled that the government’s decision to leave the ICC was unconstitutional and invalid.
African leaders have complained about the conduct of the court claiming the ICC is discriminatory in the selection of cases it prosecutes, an accusation the ICC has denied.
The International Criminal Court last year made a passionate appeal to the Gambia, Burundi and South Africa not to withdraw from the court.
Source: Africafeeds.com
